Improvement in grape-vine protectors



J. S. DAVIS.

Grape-Vine Protector.

No. 54,302. P tented May 1, 1866.

N.PETF.R5, PHOTD-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D

tries. a

JACOB S.'DAVIS, OF LA FORTE, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GRAPE-VINE PROTECTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 5 1,302, dated May 1, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB S. DAVIS, of La Porte, in the county of La Porte and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Grape-Vine Protectors; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters and figures marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My said invention consists in a novel apparatus or arrangement for sheltering and protectin g grape vines or other vines and plants from the cold in winter and from unseasonable frosts in the spring and autumn, while at the same time it admits of a ready and easy adjustment so as to give the vines the benefit of any warm weather or sunshine in the early spring or late in the autumn, which is of great importance in the grape culture in our more northern climate.

My invention further consists in a novel attachment to the main part of the protector, whereby, while the same is opened during the day to admit the sun in those parts of the year when slight frosts are usual during the night, the apparatus may be inclined back so as more freely to present the vines to the action of the sun, or inclined forward to shelter the vines during the night from the frosts without the trouble of closing the apparatus, as is neces sary in colder weather.

To enable those skilled in the art to understand how to construct and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the same with particularity, making reference in so doing to the aforesaid drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my invention Fig. 2, an elevation of the same when open, showing an interior view; and

Fig. 3, a plan or top view of my invention when open, part being in section.

Similar letters of reference in the different figures denote corresponding parts of my invention.

A A represents the exterior casing or inclosure in which the vines are trained, being constructed in two parts, as shown, and hinged at a a to the upright post or plank B, at each edge thereof, so that when the two wings are closed together the said upright B forms the back, and the uprights A the front, of theinclosure thus made.

0 0 represent the sides of a sloping roof, one side being attached to each wing of the apparatus, so that when the same are closed together the parts of the roof match or fit together and thoroughly exclude the cold and rain or snow. That part of the rear wall lying above the upright B, as shown, is attached to the wings, so that when the wings are closed there is formed a close chamber, in which the vines are inclosed, or said rear wall may be formed by a continuation of the upright B, suitably constructed and shaped. Within suitable grooves and rests in the wings, as shown in Fig. 2, are arrangedthe trellises or frames H, for supporting the vines, which have a reciprocating movement up and down, for the purposes hereinafter specified. D is a timber or plank, of suitable size, having a central rib or projection upon its upper side, to the front end of which the upright B is attached by a hinge or pivot, as shown at 0, so that said upright may be inclined backward or forward, as may be desired. The said upright B is secured in the position desired by means of the adjustable brace G, the series of holes in the ribs 1) and F attached to B, as showmand the removable pins etc. The position of the foot of the upright B may also be varied in a similar manner, as shown. The front end of D is also pivoted at the center of the cross-bar E, so as to have a horizontal movement about said pivoted attachment.

Having described the construction of my invention, I will now describe its operation.

The apparatus is stationed near each vine (one being required for each vine) and properly secured by driving pins into the ground to keep out the cold more effectually, and the apparatus may also be banked up around the bottom, when the vines will live through the coldest weather uninjured.

As shown in Fig. 3, it will be seen that the wings may be opened and turned so as to front in various positions,according to the direction in which the sun is, and also to shield the vines from chilling winds. The rear supporting-plank, D, also, as will be seen, can be moved laterally from one side to the other, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, so that by originally arranging the apparatus diagonally with respect to the direction of the rows of vines it may be turned either way far enough to allow the rows to be cultivated both ways.

Wheneverit is desired, in order more effectually to expose the vines to the sun, to incline wings may not tend to draw the vines from the ground nor tear the tendrils from their supports, which is obviated by allowing the trellis to move downward as the apparatus is opened, while it may be restored to its former position when the apparatus is closed by means of a cord attached to the top of thetrellis and passing out at the top side and under the end of the machine, and wound on a nail or held by a weight.

Having described the constructionand operation of my invention, I will now specify what I claim therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The arrangement ofthe wingsAA, hinged, as described, to the upright B, when provided with suitable trellises H H, operating substantially as and for the purposes specified and shown. 1

.2. The combination of the Wings A A, upright B, and sill D, arranged and operating as and for the purposes set forth.

3. Providing the wings A A with the movable trellises H H, for the purposes specified.

JACOB S. DAVIS. 

